I just got the Sept Micro News email and the CSX SD40-2's are finally out! Also there's C&O Caboose, it's Christmas in Sept for me! Joe
Pictures are up on ZSM. Way to go Anthony! The transition cars may be a way to run Marklin passenger cars with MTL's.
Good for you Z-scaler to get your SD40-2. Look good but the color for the pilot, step, plow and fuel tank is supposed to be black not blue.
I placed my order already. Hopefully, I will run it in my layout next week. Then its time to detail it. Joe, save some money for November. According to Rob A, thats when the four bay CSX hopper is being release. Also, is there any update on your layout?
That's great news John, plus we'll hopefully have CSX Autoracks early next year. I ordered 4 SD40-2's (2 of each) and will be repainting one or two the YN2 scheme (which is my favorite). Sundowner had a good point about the color on some parts being blue instead of black like the prototype and the CSX logo on the side appears to be a bit lower than it should be (maybe it's just me), but beggers can't be choosers, I'm happy with it. Right now no new updates on the layout, I haven't worked on it since early May. I bought a house in May, transitioned to a new job at work, and am getting married in mid Oct, so I've been extremely busy. Hopefully after Oct I'll get some more work done and more pictures posted. Have you (or anyone else) heard any updates on the SD70 shells from HoboTim. That will be getting painted CSX as well once I get mine. I know he's very busy, but I haven't seen any posts recently with updates.
Sounds good, Joe. I plan to repaint one into a YN2, but next months release. On the blue pilot and couplers, I dont expect MTL to paint them black. It would just add to the price of the engine. I always like to give my engine a personal touch. No new updates on the Ace. Tim is in TX, and wont be home for couple of months. I think the shells are done, but its waiting for the professional photo etch railings.
This is such a welcome addition to our scale! I think it's a big jump forward. Thank you Joe D and MTL. Now we wait also for the GP30 from AZL, that makes everything perfect.
I still think any black will do. Its not like somebody its going to say its the wrong black. I bet even rivet counters are not going to say you use the wrong black. If you are not going to weather it, I suggest you use engine black from Floquil.
Thanks. I hope to weather it someday, just need to become a better at it first before I tackle a loco.
I agree john, the day has come for us that enjoy CSX. I hope to be able to at least afford one SD 40-2 . I look forward to seeing photo of your repaint job. Tiller :tb-cool:
I found photos of both locos... http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=227280&nseq=0 (MTL release) http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=153766&nseq=1 (Y2N) http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=23391&nseq=2 (previous owner) http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=44441&nseq=0 (Y2N) It's hard to tell from the MTL news-letter, but from the photos, it looks like the yellow on the nose cowl should lap over the edge. On the MTL releases, it looks like the yellow is just on the flat surface of the nose. Just wondering...
Alex, A paint mask to cover the corners is more complex than one that just covers the flat areas. Manufactures have to make compromises all the time to get a product to market at a reasonable price. That might be the case here, but I don't know for sure. But all in all, this looks like a great release for MTL. We had tons of success with our AZL Brass SD40-2 run (over 500 brass locos sold) and I'm sure it will be multiples of that for MTL. Congratulations to Joe, Eric and the whole team at MTL: this locomotive looks like a winner. Best, -Rob(A) AZL
I understand that about MTL having to make compromises... they do it all the time. My comment wasn't a complaint... although, I think more folks might have been willing to pay a little bit more for the Y2N (?) paint. Yes... I have one of those AZL brass SD40-2 in BN paint (although it's not a road-name I'm interested in any more). Anyone interested? Alex
Happy Dance John, I can see you doing the Happy Dance from here in NC. Now if I can just capture some pictures here in NC of these units to really blow your mind. Congrats, now get the reefers ready for the juice express train.
